While the pre-Christmas shopping frenzy peaks, 25 per cent of festive shoppers will delay buying some gifts until after Christmas Day, a survey has revealed.
This trend is largely due to the cost of living crisis, with many seeking savings in post-Christmas sales.
Two-fifths (41 per cent) of those surveyed for cashback website Rakuten see sales as a good way to economise.
Additionally, a third (32 per cent) believe money saved by delaying purchases justifies changing the tradition of opening gifts on Christmas Day. Men, the research notes, are more likely than women to postpone gift buying until after the festive period.
The survey indicated that shoppers expect to spend £163 on average in the Boxing Day sales.
The research also found that, apart from the financial savings, there were other advantages to leaving some gift-buying until after Christmas Day.
Some people hold off to avoid pre-Christmas stress and crowds, and some believe that buying gifts after Christmas Day helps to extend the festive atmosphere into the new year.
The survey also indicated that many gift recipients will not mind waiting until after 25 December to find something under the Christmas tree with their name on it.
For more than half (52 per cent) of those who celebrate Christmas, receiving a gift after Christmas Day is not a problem, according to the survey of 2,000 people across the UK carried out by OnePoll in October.
Rakuten’s savings expert, Bola Sol, said: “With prices slashed and discounts galore, waiting a few extra days can mean big savings. It’s a great way to stretch the present budget, especially for those who aren’t too fussy about receiving or giving gifts on Christmas Day.”
She suggested setting a Boxing Day sales budget, comparing prices, and combining gift budgets with friends and family members to give a more meaningful gift without overspending.